New Delhi, June 25 (UNI) Navratna Central Public Sector Undertaking NBCC (India) Limited on Monday
that redevelopment of seven colonies will give a green facelift to Delhi with tree cover expected to increase by about four times to near 55 per cent with focus on zero waste discharge, organised parking, no load on ground water and effective metro connectivity.
Addressing a press conference here, NBCC) CMD Anoop Kumar Mittal, who was flanked by Additional Secretary Manoj Kumar, said, “Our vision is to develop Delhi in the most planned and sustainable manner and ensure apart from these colonies, sewage treatment services are also provided in neighbouring colonies.'
Amid media reports that 16,500 trees were felled for the housing project, Dr Mittal said utmost care was being taken to protect the environment while redeveloping General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) colonies in the national capital to utilise existing land resources in the most efficient manner and meet the growing demand for built-up space.
He said permissions have been obtained from the Delhi government and other authorities for cutting about 3,748 trees for redeveloping Nauroji Nagar and Netaji Nagar, where they will plant 10,000 trees apart from paying for green coverage.
“While redeveloping the colonies, special care and attention is being given towards retaining maximum number of existing trees and incorporating them in a large cluster as an integral part of landscaping design scheme,” Dr Mittal said.
Forty per cent ground is green covered and around 800 to 900 families are residing here at GPRA Complex, New Moti Bagh, he informed the reporters.
Underscoring the need for redevelopment, he said that several decades old colonies had hundreds of unserviceable and unlivable units out of a total of 12,970 flats as of now and the same would be transformed into the most modern colonies with 25,667 units having an extensive green cover, sewage treatment plants, organised parking for 70,000 cars and other amenities.
He wondered if the development of big colonies like Vasant Kunj or South Extension or likes of it has come at any cost?
'Netaji Nagar – it’s a big project, so the process is done area-wise. Very few trees have been cut down till now.
Transplant technique is being used for plantation of trees. 50 per cent of the site will have a lush green cover,' Dr Mittal said.
While redeveloping the colonies, special care and attention is being given towards retaining maximum number of existing trees and incorporating them in a large cluster as an integral part of landscaping design scheme, the NBCC top official said.
For 13,000 trees felled, 2.5 lakh trees will be planted, Dr Mittal said.
State government’s department concerned scrutinises and gives permission after receiving recommendation and approvals from authorities concerned and ministers, he said, adding that
there was no role of Central government in this.
Explaining about water conservation in the project, Dr Mittal said,“In our projects, 5.5 lakh litres of sewage is treated per day and only treated water is being used for horticulture, landscaping and use in bungalows for flushing. Surplus water is supplied to NDMC for greenery of surrounding areas.'
In New Moti Bagh GPRA Complex the water table has risen significantly since the redevelopment due to NBCC implementing smart, sustainable and green technologies, he informed.
The NBCC will ensure that all recycled water is used for horticulture and other similar purposes, he said, adding that 'Our aim is that within 5 years, there should be in-house sewer and waste treatment of every construction project.'
There is not a single tubewell in the complex, Dr Mittal said and insisted that utmost care was being taken to protect the environment while redeveloping GPRA colonies in the national capital to
utilise existing land resources in the most efficient manner and meet the growing demand for built-up space.
NBCC, a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), had completed the redevelopment work at New Moti Bagh in 2012.
Since then, 4,722 trees of 64 varieties have been planted, including 896 fruit-bearing trees. “This year alone, 2,000 trees more trees are being planted,” he said adding that permission was given to cut only 62 trees here.

'In East Kidwai Nagar, NBCC saved more than 30 per cent of full-grown trees during construction in 2014 and planted 2,700 trees at different points. About 3,000 to 4,000 trees will be planted this year. While NBCC will plant a total of 8,165 trees at East Kidwai Nagar, the Forest Department will plant another 9,480 trees at other locations to maintain the ecological balance,' he said.
“Significantly, the green area will be increased to 44 per cent compared to 23 per cent before redevelopment with horizontal constructions,” said Dr Mittal, adding that here permission was given to cut a total of 1,852 trees.

The average girth size of trees planted in East Kidwai Nagar is 10 to 15 cm and the species are Gulmohar, Mango, Champa, Jack Fruit and Ashok, he said, adding that more varieties will be included to help reduce pollution and make the complex more green and beautiful.

'At the same time, 30 lakh litre of water will be treated per day with zero discharge in sewerage system. This water will be used for toilets by providing duel plumbing, horticulture and washing,' he informed.

With the design of multi-storied residential and commercial blocks, the effective ground coverage has drastically reduced, enabling more space for the green area.
Compensatory plantation of trees is being carried out in a ratio of 1:10: that is 10 trees are being planted against the loss of 1 tree, he said.
NBCC has paid Rs 23 crore to forest department for planting of saplings in lieu of the two projects.
“With utmost care and respect towards our natural environment, all measures are being taken in the planning and designing of these colonies to construct Green Projects with GRIHA certification,” said Dr Mittal. “As such, green cover and sustainability of environment will be ensured while redevelopment of these colonies,” he stressed.
“With sustainable transportation and road connectivity to Metro stations, NBCC will ensure that all recycled water is used for horticulture and other similar purposes. The city should move towards sewage treatment plants (STPs) in a major way over the next 10 years,” said Dr Mittal.
The CPWD has been assigned to redevelop GPRA colonies in Mohammadpur, Sriniwaspuri, Kasturba Nagar and Thyagaraj Nagar.
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